The causeway road on Eagles Island leading west from the ferry to Wilmington. Photo courtesy of the New Hanover County Public Library.

Q. Why is the immediate property around the Battleship North Carolina in New Hanover County when all other property on the west side of the Cape Fear River is in Brunswick County?

A. When Brunswick County was carved out of New Hanover and Bladen counties in 1764, the piece of land where the Battleship North Carolina is now located was preserved for New Hanover County.

Presumably, the land was used for industrial purposes during that time and was considered an extension of downtown Wilmington. What can be verified is that in 1764, a ferry ran from the foot of Market Street across the river.

Eagles Island, which the land is called, was the home of sawmills, turpentine distilleries and other similar ventures.

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